HENGYU
LI



Projects

Paintings

Videos

Sketchs

Exhibitions

My solo 
exhibition



















In the end, I brought all of my works—both old and new—together in a solo exhibition. Through this experience,I learned how to curate, communicate with galleries, navigate the commercial aspects of the art world, andarrange my own pieces. I was able to present dimensions that go beyond the act of creation itself, and I gainedinvaluable insights from the process





The theme of “Experience” deeply explores the inner experiences of the body and its external manifestations. Through a series of works, the exhibition presents the body as a potential tool for artistic creation, examining its flaws and pain, and how these factors influence our self-awareness and societal perception. In contemporary society, especially with the prevalence of social media, we are often required to present our most perfect selves, neglecting the body’s true and fragile nature. Through this exhibition, I hope to challenge the classical aesthetic view of the body and present a profound dialogue about the body’s imperfections, the beauty of scars, and societal expectations.




















In this exhibition, I first explored my inner world through a series of self-portraits. These self-portraits are not only depictions of my face and body but also reflect my inner quest for self-understanding. As the creation progressed, I gradually came to realize the inherent imperfection of the human body. I began to question classical ideals of the body and accepted scars and flaws as manifestations of beauty. Scars are not only marks of pain but also authentic representations of personal experience. In the era of social media, people are often compelled to display their most perfect selves, overlooking the raw, imperfect, yet powerful aspects of their bodies. The classical ideal of a perfect body is still deeply embedded in our culture, causing a conflict with modern societal expectations. Therefore, I aimed to understand myself better, treating myself as a stranger to explore my inner monologue.








Additionally, I employed a unique creative approach to deepen this theme. I covered my body in paint and used rolling movements to imprint the paint onto a large canvas. I then allowed my body to act as a “tool.” This process was not only a physical challenge but also an emotional release. After completing the work, I cut and pieced together these bodily imprints to form a large installation. This installation was placed outdoors, where it was slowly eroded by rainwater, with the patterns gradually dissolving, symbolizing the body’s final fusion with nature. This natural process of dissolution reflects the body’s vulnerability and its ultimate connection to the natural world.







In my exploration of the body, I also extended my artistic practice by experimenting with the creation of soft sculptures. I stitched together fabrics, previously painted with parts of the body, to create freely positionable soft sculptures. This method broke the limitations of traditional sculpture, allowing the body’s imprints to be expressed in a more dynamic and expressive form. I also experimented with various sculptural materials to explore the pain and emotions carried by the body. These experimental works visually present the true state of the body and the stories behind them, challenging traditional notions of bodily beauty.